Fuel cell stack assembly
Disclosed herein is a novel fuel cell stack assembly. In one embodiment, the stacks of the present invention comprise: a first and a second end plate; a plurality of fuel cells interposed between the first and second end plates, at least one of the fuel cells having a unitized MEA assembly and/or a compound flow field; a means to separate neighboring fuel cell components; and a compression means.
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The present invention relates in general to the field of proton exchange membrane (“PEM”) fuel cell systems, and more particularly, to an improved PEM fuel cell stack having improved fuel cells.
Shown in
An electrochemical reaction takes place at and between the anode plate and the cathode plate, with attendant formation of a product of the reaction between the fuel and oxygen, release of thermal energy, creation of an electrical potential difference between the plates, with the thus generated electric power usually constituting the useful output of the fuel cell. The general principles of the electrochemical reaction in and operation of such fuel cells are so well-known that they need not be discussed here in great detail.
In alternative designs of conventional fuel cell stacks, the bipolar plate may be an assembly of two monopolar flow field/separator plates, allowing for water cooling or heat management between the two plates, if desired. This construction incorporating water cooling interrupts a true bipolar plate construction but may be still referred to by those skilled in the art as a “bipolar construction,” although it is actually two monopolar plates arranged in an assembly including a heat management means.
To increase the amount of power produced, individual fuel cells are stacked to form fuel cell stacks.
In conventional fuel cell stacks, a multitude of problems may arise. For example, one problem associated with stacks utilizing conventional serpentine-channeled bipolar flow field/separator plates is that efficient mass transport of the reactants to the MEA is difficult. This is due, in large part, to the numerous drawbacks associated with the serpentine-channeled flow field/separator plates. For instance, because of pressure differentials across the serpentine arrangement as well as the geometry of the serpentine channel itself, reactants are not able to evenly disburse onto the gas diffusion layers and ultimately the catalytic active layers of the MEA. Additionally, these conventional flow field/separator plates have design constraints that limit their ability to handle water and transport it out of the cell on either the anode or cathode side of a fuel cell without compromising performance. These impede the flow of the cathode gas and anode gas to the MEA, which limits the power output of each cell and, ultimately, the entire fuel cell stack assembly. Additionally, using serpentine-channeled flow field/separator plates requires incremental pressure to overcome the impedance of the liquid water being handled within the cell, which results in an additional parasitic loss.
Usually, the individual fuel cells are secured within the stack by means of end plates clamped together by multiple torqued fasteners. These end plates, used in conjunction with a compression means, provide the pressure to the stack to ensure good electrical conductivity between the stack components, more specifically, inter alia uniform pressure between the MEAs and the flow field/separator plates and/or any other interim components. The end plates also provide pressure to the individual cell and stack sealing systems to prevent fuel and oxidant gas leakage or mixing within the cells in the stack or out of the stack. The pressure applied to the cells in the stack by the end plates generally is a function of the axial forces exerted on the plates by those fasteners. These forces are subject to great variability, which is problematic. For example, one of the particular troubles encountered as a result of variation in the pressures exerted on the stack is that the MEA may be damaged. Of all of the components in a stack, generally the MEA is the weakest and most prone to damage. Also, variable stress concentrations may damage the flow field/separator plates within the stack. Moreover, these pressure variations are compounded by the thermal expansion and contraction of the stack components as well as expansion and contraction of the MEA itself, due to inter alia humidity, impedance-induced heat, and reaction-induced heat.
Another problem associated with conventional fuel cell stack assemblies is that construction is predominantly manual. In constructing a fuel cell stack assembly, components of each individual cell are placed sequentially on top of each other; these remain loose until stack-clamping-fasteners are assembled to the stack and torqued. The stack-clamping-fasteners secure the components of the fuel cell stack together. Within the stack and when assembling the stack, the fragile (and expensive) MEA must be handled carefully to prevent incorrect positioning of the MEA between the flow field/separator plates. Due to the fragile nature of the MEA and the extreme care that must be exercised in stacking all fuel cell components, conventional manual assembly has been the most effective means to assemble fuel cell stacks. Moreover, if the MEA is not positioned correctly, the flow field/separator plates may be damaged.
An additional consequence is that damage or misplacement of a single MEA within a stack oftentimes causes the entire stack containing the cell to malfunction, thus requiring that the stack be entirely rebuilt. Misplacement or movement of the MEA within a fuel cell also can lead to gas leaks, premature failures, or a reduction in the power output of the MEA, resulting in cost penalties and other quality control pitfalls. Accordingly, for successful assembly and operation of a fuel cell and a fuel cell stack assembly, the MEA needs to able to be accurately and repeatably positioned so that there is a low risk of error. Heretofore known means and/or methods of controlling the position of the MEA have not been adequate.
If a single cell misfuctions for any of these reasons in a stack assembly, the stack assembly becomes ineffective and usually must be rebuilt. These assembly and reassembly issues pose significant challenges to efficient, higher-speed, or automated-assembly methodologies.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved fuel cell stack design that minimizes these sorts of problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONHerein provided is an improved fuel cell stack assembly.
One embodiment of a the fuel cell stacks of the present invention comprises: (a) a first end plate and a second end plate, the second end plate being aligned with the first end plate; (b) a plurality of fuel cells interposed between the first and second end plates, at least one of the fuel cells comprising: (i) a unitized MEA assembly, the unitized MEA assembly comprising an MEA and a frame, the MEA being sealed within the frame, (ii) an anode flow field, and (iii) a cathode flow field, (c) a plurality of internal foils, each internal foil having an first connection surface and a second connection surface; and (d) a compression means, the compression means securing the end plates, the plurality of fuel cells, and the plurality of internal foils to form a fuel cell stack assembly.
Another embodiment of a the fuel cell stacks of the present invention comprises: a first end plate and a second end plate, the second end plate being aligned with the first end plate; a plurality of fuel cells, the filet cells being interposed between the first end plate and the second end plate, and at least one of the fuel cells comprising: (i) at least one compound flow field, (ii) a second flow field, (iii) an MEA, and (iv) a frame; (c) a plurality of internal foils, each internal foil having an first connection surface and a second connection surface; and (d) a compression means, the compression means securing the end plates, the plurality of fuel cells, and the plurality of the internal foils together.
Another embodiment of a the fuel cell stacks of the present invention comprises:
-
- (a) a first end plate and a second end plate, the second end plate being aligned with the first end plate; (b) a plurality of fuel cells, the fuel cells being interposed between the first end plate and the second end plate, and at least one of the fuel cells comprising: (i) at least one compound flow field, (ii) a second flow field, and (iii) a unitized MEA assembly, the unitized MEA assembly comprising an MEA and a frame, the MEA being sealed within the frame; (c) a plurality of internal foils, each internal foil having an first connection surface and a second connection surface; and (d) a compression means, the compression means securing the end plates, the plurality of fuel cells, and the plurality of internal foils together.
Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art in view of the following specification, claims, and drawings.
A more complete understanding of the present embodiments and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like numbers indicate like features, and wherein:
Disclosed herein is a novel fuel cell stack assembly. Among other things, the stacks of the present invention include improved flow fields that provide for inter alia more efficient water handling and reactant dispersion. In addition, requisite stack clamping pressures are greatly reduced, which enables a construction comprised of lighter weight, lower strength, lower cost materials. Another improvement minimizes the risk of displacement of the MEA within the stack assembly, and thus, minimizes the difficulties associated with assembly and resultant defects. Also, this construction protects the MEA from damage by excess or unequal stack clamping forces. Other advantages and features of the present invention will be apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art in view of the following.
Depicted in
First end plate 402 and second end plate 404 aid in securing the components of the fuel cell stack together and distribute pressure in conjunction with the compression means to ensure good electrical conductivity and stack sealing. Preferably, end plates 402 and 404 may be made from a plastic material. Thus, a broader range of lower-cost as well as lighter weight materials may be advantageously used. Depending on the desired end-use of the stack, however, metal end plates or the like also may be suitable. Although end plates 402 and 404 are depicted as circular members in
In the embodiment shown in
In the embodiment shown in
In the most preferred embodiments of the fuel cell stacks of the present invention, a unitized MEA assembly is used in at least one of the fuel cells interposed between the first end plate and the second end plate, wherein the MEA is sealed to the frame so as to be integral with this separate and durable frame. This stabilizes the placement of the MEA within the fuel cell and the stack assembly. Among other things, the frames housing the MEA provide sealing interfaces, fluid manifolds and passages, intercomponent alignment and registration, and fastener orifices. The preferable design also allows the unitized frame to be preassembled and tested and then subsequently handled in semi-automated or fully automated assembly processes. This construction greatly improves assembly productivity and reduces stack level defects.
In one of the preferred embodiments as shown in
To more particularly illustrate the arrangement of the individual cell components (e.g., the unitized MEA, the anode flow field, the cathode flow field, and the internal foils terminating the cell), refer to
To more particularly illustrate sandwich unitized MEA assembly 414, refer to
In the sandwich embodiment of suitable unitized MEA assemblies as depicted in
In a preferred embodiment of the sandwich unitized MEA assembly, sections 602 and 604 of the frame are exactly the same and interchangeable, requiring only a single mold versus separate anterior and posterior molds. Thus, a single piece can serve as either the anterior section or the posterior section. This simplifies inventory management and manufacturing as well as increases assembly efficiency.
Any appropriate nonconductive material suitable for the fuel-cell environment may be used for the material of construction for the frame sections of the sandwich embodiment of suitable unitized MEA assemblies. A polysulfone-based material is especially suitable. There is no requirement that both sections be constructed from the same material nor is there a requirement that both sections have exactly the same configuration. Preferably, however, both sections do have the same configuration so that the sections are the same and interchangeable.
Preferably, each section of the frame should incorporate corresponding manifolds to facilitate the flow of reactants to the MEA for the electrochemical exchange. Examples of such manifolds are illustrated in
Optionally, the frame may also include holes to be used in conjunction with the compression means providing alignment and containment for clamping fasteners. Such holes are illustrated in
Other optional features that may be incorporated into the frame that houses the MEA or other stack components are shown in
In the case of subsequent and/or sequential parts within a stack, such as the heat exchanger 408 or the internal foil separator plates of the anode flow field/internal foil assembly 410 or the cathode flow field/internal foil assembly 412, such alignment features as those described above can be used to beneficially align both previous and subsequent fuel cell components, transferring specific orientation and component registration throughout an entire stack. Shown in
These examples are not meant to be limiting. Alignment features can be altered to suit the application and manufacturing method. These features however are most preferably applied to net shape molded parts, for example, the preferred design of the unitizing frame of the unitized MEA assemblies as described herein and its equivalents.
Although the sandwich unitized MEA assembly is the preferred unitized MEA assembly for use in the fuel cell stacks of the present invention, another embodiment of a suitable unitized MEA assembly is a cantilevered unitized MEA assembly. This design is illustrated in
Illustrated in
In the embodiment shown in
In addition to adhering the MEA itself to the frame, in this embodiment, if desired, a sealing clamp may be used to further secure the MEA to the frame. In
The sealing clamp is preferably made from a plastic that is appropriate for the fuel cell environment. For example, the following non-limiting examples are suitable: fiberglass reinforced plastic, and phenolics. Nonconductive materials are more appropriate than conductive materials. Also, the material should be relatively incompressible.
The secondary elastomeric spring element 1016 is preferably a silicon-based elastomer. Other materials also may be appropriate. The material must have an appropriate spring-rate for the available free and compressed heights to deliver desirable clamping force.
The height of the internal cavity of the frame dictates the height of the sealing clamp secondary elastomeric spring element combination. Once inserted into the internal cavity, the combination preferably should be such that the sealing clamp is appropriately loaded once the frame is assembled to mating parts of the fuel cell or stack assembly.
An optional additional feature of the sealing clamp that may be useful for effective use of this sealing clamp is a means to facilitate gas transmission to the MEA. For example, grooves such as those shown at 1018 on
Alignment features (such as described above) are also useful in this embodiment for facilitating orientation and registration of the fuel cell components within a stack assembly. If incorporated into the frame of the cantilevered unitized MEA design, the raised alignment features and corresponding alignment cavities preferably are located symmetrically or diagonally across from each other, preferably adjacent to the internal cavity. These features may help facilitate the placement and effective use of the subsequent components of the fuel cell assembly. If such alignment features are used, they can perform the additional function of facilitating the registration of the internal foils separating neighboring cells as described above, thus minimizing the size of the internal foil. Refer to
The cantilevered unitized MEA fuel cell embodiment shown in
Other embodiments of a unitized MEA assembly wherein the MEA is integral to a supporting frame are also suitable for use in the fuel cell stacks of the present invention. Those of ordinary skill with the benefit of this disclosure will be aware of other suitable embodiments.
Referring again to the stack again of
In true bipolar embodiments, the internal foil separates neighboring anodes and cathodes directly, i.e., there is not structure in between the anode and the internal foil or the cathode and the internal foil that interrupts the continuity between the elements. In other embodiments, juxtaposed to the internal foil is a heat exchanger, which is oftentimes a heat exchange plate. The heat exchanger serves to collect and remove impedance-induced heat and reaction-induced heat. Heat exchanger 408 can have any configuration suitable for removing heat from the stack. The heat exchanger may but need not include air-cooling or water-cooling means.
In a preferred design, heat exchanger 408 used should reflect the design of the frames that house the MEA such that the manifolds that facilitate the flow of reactants within the stack are uninterrupted. Also, in a preferred design, each cell is separated from the neighboring cell by a heat exchanger; in other designs, every other cell in the stack is separated from a neighboring cell by a heat exchanger. Alternate patterns for heat exchanger use such as one for every two or one for every three or one for every four cells and so on are also suitable.
Any type of flow fields may be suitable for the present invention, for example, at anode flow field 1104 and cathode flow field 1108 in
Even more preferably, this three-dimensional reticulated structure has at least one corrugation, i.e., a deformation from a plane. A more preferred flow field comprises a plurality of corrugations. An even more preferred flow field suitable for the present invention is a compound flow field, which comprises two elements: a primary flow field and a mating flow field.
If using a compound flow field in the anode and/or the cathode of a cell in a stack of the present invention, preferably, both the primary flow field and the mating flow field of the compound flow field are compression-formed so as to have unique compression-formed geometries advantageous to the operation of the fuel cell. These two components work together to facilitate, inter alia, gas flow distribution, very low-pressure operation, uniform loading of the flow field, enhanced surface area contact with the gas dispersion layers of the MEA, water management, heat management, and current collection. These compound flow fields also act to provide compliancy to the fuel cell assembly to accommodate both thermal and mechanical variances within the fuel cell and the fuel cell stack assembly.
Specifically, in
Preferably, primary flow field 1306 is made from a conductive, compression-formed, three-dimensional, reticulated structure. Primary flow field 1306 is compression formed in a forming process that imparts the desired geometry and densities to the reticulated structure. In a preferred embodiment, the primary flow field has at least one corrugation, i.e., a deformation from a plane. In a most-preferred embodiment, the structure of the primary flow field has a plurality of corrugations as shown in
Because the primary flow field is most advantageously produced using a compression process, as a result of the compression process the densities of the reticulated structure may vary transverse to any corrugations in the structure. The resultant structure has a three-dimensional geometry of varying height and thickness, which imparts advantageous qualities to the compound flow field that ultimately improve the performance of the stack.
In a preferred embodiment, the reticulated foam used to form the primary flow field is a nickel foam that is 1.9 mm thick with a porosity of 90 ppi and a weight of 500 g/m2. Other metal foams or similarly reticulated materials, of course, may be suitable.
The mating flow field is used in conjunction with the primary flow field and is shown generally at 1302 in
Preferably, similar to the primary flow field, the mating flow field is formed from a conductive compression-formed, three-dimensional, reticulated structure. The three-dimensional, reticulated structure is preferably nickel foam. Other conductive reticulated structures are suitable as well if the material of construction is amenable to the fuel cell environment and application. The mating flow field may but need not be constructed from the same material as the primary flow field. The most preferred embodiment, however, utilizes the same or a similar reticulated material in both the primary flow field and the mating flow field.
In a preferred embodiment, the mating flow field has two sides, 1310 and 1312, which serve different functions. Side 1312 contacts the internal foil 1308 that separates the adjacent fuel cell components. Side 1312, preferably, is designed such that it has a flat compliant surface, which is especially conducive to providing low electrical resistance between the compound flow field and the internal foil utilizing only flow field-to-MEA reactive forces for loading. Even though side 1312 is preferably a flat surface, the mating flow field has a certain compliancy because of the structure of its reticulated material. This provides an excellent interface with the flat surface of the internal foil that allows for low electrical resistance.
However, side 1310, which is adjacent to the primary flow field, is formed to work in conjunction with the primary flow field. Although other features may be incorporated into side 1310, there are features that impart the desired functionality to the mating flow field. The combination of features desired in the mating flow field that will yield the most effective operation of the compound flow field will depend inter alia on the structure of the primary flow field and its desired functionality. The three most advantageous features that optionally and beneficially may be employed include positioning peaks, recessed areas, and cradles. Shown at 1314 is a positioning peak that helps orient the primary flow field to the mating flow field so that the two can work together. These positioning features substantially facilitate aligning the primary flow field in its proper position relative to the mating flow field. The feature depicted at 1316 is a recessed area compressed into the mating flow field. Recessed area 1316 combines with a valley created by a deformation in the primary flow field (e.g., at 1318) to create a microchannel, which enhances gas distribution and water management within the compound flow field. In effect, recessed area 1316 enhances the cross-sectional area of the microchannel created by the deformation in the structure of the primary flow field. Recessed area 1316 preferably is used in a compound flow field that is used in the cathode of the fuel cell as opposed to the anode. Recessed areas 1316 also can be created in the mating flow field so as to be transverse to the opposing voids created at, for example, 1318 by primary flow field 1306. This may enhance water management and/or gas utilization within the cell as well as the stack, depending on flow field orientation to supply and exhaust ports. The feature depicted at 1320 is a cradle that provides a low-resistance interface between the primary flow field and the mating flow field. Cradle 1320 also imparts structural integrity to the compound flow fields. The run of the cradles of the mating flow field preferably is designed to accommodate the structure of the primary flow field.
The compound flow fields of the present invention may be used advantageously in either the anode or the cathode side of a fuel cell assembly. In one embodiment, when the fuel cell is assembled, the compound flow fields are arranged in the cell relative to the MEAs and internal foils in the cell as depicted in
A compound flow field is preferably used in the anode as well as the cathode for each cell; however, it is contemplated within the present invention that only the anode or only the cathode may comprise a compound flow field. When compound flow fields are used in both the anode and cathode, the anode compound flow field (shown at 1104) is located on one side of the first MEA 414; the cathode compound flow field (shown at 1108) is located on the opposite side of the first MEA 414 (
Moreover, preferably, the anode compound flow field and the cathode compound flow field are positioned so as to be transverse to one another. This preferred transverse positioning of the anode compound flow field and the cathode compound flow field is illustrated in
Most preferably, in the preferred embodiments of the fuel cell stacks of the present invention, a unitized MEA assembly is used in conjunction with the compound flow fields to attain the most advantageous operation. The unitized distribution frame provides a discrete defined height limiter, which, in conjunction with the above flow fields, allows for a uniform force per area to be applied. What is more, due to the elastic compliance of the compound flow fields, discrete variations in both the static and dynamic thickness of the MEA can be accommodated without causing undue localized stresses.
Appropriate flow field to MEA interface pressure is created with the transverse intersection of anode and cathode flow fields, which, due to their sinusoidal wave configuration, produces a three-dimensional grid at their intersection which further includes an expanded contact area due to the relative deformation of the flow field form at the intersection points. The resulting pressure distribution and gradient allows full current density and a low resistance interface at an average of about 2 to 4 kg/cm2 loading.
If compound flow fields are used as the anode flow field and the cathode flow field, such compound flow fields share the interior cell cavity height, effective overall height 414, with MEA 600. Through variation of the mechanical characteristics of the compound flow field, a specific force loading of the compound flow fields to the MEA can be designed using spring element methodologies that provide not only a substantially uniform force per area at a specific height but also provides compensation for manufacturing tolerances within the designed spring rate of the flow fields. What is more, due to the elastic compliance of the entire flow field area, discrete variations in both the static and dynamic thickness of the MEA can be accommodated without causing undue localized stresses.
Pressure is a function of the mechanical properties of the reticulated structure of the flow field and flow field base raw material, the variable geometry and densities imposed in the flow field manufacturing die forming operation and the mechanical characteristics of the MEA. The resulting pressure distribution and gradient allows a preferred current density and low resistance interface at an average of about 2 to 4 kg/cm2 loading.
The present invention, therefore, is well adapted to carry out the objectives and attain both the ends and the advantages mentioned, as well as other benefits inherent therein. While the present invention has been depicted, described, and is defined by reference to particular embodiments of the invention, such references do not imply a limitation to the invention, and no such limitation is to be inferred. The invention is capable of considerable modification, alteration, and equivalents in form and/or functions, as will occur to those of ordinary skill in the pertinent arts. The depicted and described embodiments of the invention are exemplary only, and are not exhaustive of the scope of the present invention. Consequently, the present invention is intended to be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims, giving full cognizance to equivalents in all respects.
Claims
1. A fuel cell stack comprising:
- (a) a first end plate and a second end plate, the second end plate being aligned with the first end plate;
- (b) a plurality of fuel cells interposed between the first and second end plates, at least one of the fuel cells comprising: (i) a cantilevered unitized MEA assembly, the cantilevered unitized MEA assembly comprising an MEA and a frame, the MEA being sealed within the frame, (ii) an anode flow field, (iii) a cathode flow field, and (iv) wherein the anode flow field comprises a primary flow field and a mating flow field, wherein the primary flow field includes a plurality of valleys and the mating flow field includes a plurality of recessed areas corresponding to respective ones of the valleys to form a plurality of microchannels;
- (c) a plurality of internal foils, each internal foil having an first connection surface and a second connection surface; and
- (d) a compression means, the compression means securing the end plates, the plurality of fuel cells, and the plurality of internal foils to form the fuel cell stack.
2. The fuel cell stack according to claim 1 wherein the first connection surface of a first internal foil is juxtaposed to the anode flow field of a first fuel cell, and the second connection surface of the first internal foil is juxtaposed to the cathode flow field of a second fuel cell.
3. The fuel cell stack according to claim 1 wherein the first connection surface of a first internal foil is juxtaposed to the anode flow field of a first fuel cell and the second connection surface of the first internal foil is juxtaposed to a heat exchange means, and wherein the first connection surface of a second internal foil is juxtaposed to the heat exchange means and the second connection surface of the second internal foil is juxtaposed to the cathode flow field of a second fuel cell.
4. The fuel cell stack according to claim 1 wherein the cathode flow field comprises a primary flow field and a mating flow field.
5. The fuel cell stack according to claim 1 wherein the anode flow field or the cathode flow field comprises a reticulated structure.
6. The fuel cell stack according to claim 1 wherein the anode flow field or the cathode flow field have a plurality of corrugations.
7. The fuel cell stack according to claim 6 wherein a first subset of corrugations are substantially located in a first plane, a second subset of corrugations are substantially located in a second plane, the first plane is substantially parallel to the second plane, and neighboring corrugations belong to different subsets.
8. The fuel cell stack according to claim 1 wherein the first end plate and the second end plate are constructed primarily from a plastic material.
9. The fuel cell stack according to claim 1 wherein the first end plate or the second end plate are substantially circular, substantially rectangular, or substantially square.
10. The fuel cell stack according to claim 1 wherein the compression means comprises a threaded fastener.
11. The fuel cell stack according to claim 1 wherein the cantilevered unitized MEA assembly further comprises a sealing clamp.
12. The fuel cell stack according to claim 1 wherein the frame of the unitized MEA comprises orifices for use in conjunction with the compression means.
13. The fuel cell stack according to claim 1 wherein the frame of the unitized MEA further comprises apertures substantially identical to apertures of the first end plate or second end plate for use in conjunction with the compression means.
14. A fuel cell stack comprising:
- (a) a first end plate and a second end plate, the second end plate being aligned with the first end plate;
- (b) a plurality of fuel cells, the fuel cells being interposed between the first end plate and the second end plate, and at least one of the fuel cells comprising: (i) at least one compound flow field including a primary flow field having a plurality of corrugations and a mating flow field including a plurality of recessed areas, (ii) a second flow field, (iii) an MEA, and (iv) a frame;
- (c) a plurality of internal foils, each internal foil having an first connection surface and a second connection surface; and
- (d) a compression means, the compression means securing the end plates, the plurality of fuel cells, and the plurality of the internal foils together.
15. The fuel cell stack according to claim 14 wherein the compound flow field comprises the an anode flow field of the fuel cell.
16. The fuel cell stack according to claim 14 wherein the compound flow field comprises a cathode flow field of the fuel cell.
17. The fuel cell stack according to claim 14 wherein the second flow field is a compound flow field.
18. The fuel cell stack according to claim 14 wherein the frame and the MEA form a unitized MEA assembly.
19. The fuel cell stack according to claim 15 wherein the first connection surface of a first internal foil is juxtaposed to the compound anode flow field of a first fuel cell, and the second connection surface of the first internal foil is juxtaposed to the second flow field of a second fuel cell.
20. The fuel cell stack according to claim 14 wherein the first connection surface of a first internal foil is juxtaposed to the compound flow field of a first fuel cell and the second connection surface of the first internal foil is juxtaposed to a heat exchange means, and wherein the first connection surface of a second internal foil is juxtaposed to the heat exchange means and the second connection surface of the second internal foil is juxtaposed to the second flow field of a second fuel cell.
21. The fuel cell stack according to claim 14 wherein the first connection surface of a first internal foil is juxtaposed to the second flow field of a first fuel cell and the second connection surface of the first internal foil is juxtaposed to a heat exchange means, and wherein the first connection surface of a second internal foil is juxtaposed to the heat exchange means and the second connection surface of the second internal foil is juxtaposed to the compound flow field of a second fuel cell.
22. The fuel cell stack according to claim 14 wherein the first end plate or the second end plate are constructed primarily from a plastic material.
23. The fuel cell stack according to claim 14 wherein the first end plate or the second end plate are substantially circular, substantially rectangular, or substantially square.
24. The fuel cell stack according to claim 14 wherein the compression means comprises threaded fastener.
25. A fuel cell stack comprising:
- (a) a first end plate and a second end plate, the second end plate being aligned with the first end plate;
- (b) a plurality of fuel cells, the fuel cells being interposed between the first end plate and the second end plate, and at least one of the fuel cells comprising: (i) a first compound flow field, (ii) a second compound flow field, (iii) a unitized MEA assembly, the unitized MEA assembly comprising an MEA and a frame, the MEA being sealed within the frame; and (iv) wherein each of the first and second compound flow fields include primary and mating flow fields, the primary flow field being corrugated and having a plurality of valleys, the mating flow fields including a plurality of recessed areas corresponding to respective ones of the valleys to form a plurality of microchannels, the mating flow fields further including at least one positioning peak operable to position the primary flow field with respect to the mating flow field;
- (c) a plurality of internal foils, each internal foil having an first connection surface and a second connection surface; and
- (d) a compression means, the compression means securing the end plates, the plurality of fuel cells, and the plurality of internal foils together.
26. The fuel cell stack according to claim 25 wherein the first compound flow field is an anode flow field of the fuel cell, and the second compound flow field is a cathode flow field of the fuel cell.
27. The fuel cell stack according to claim 26 wherein the first connection surface of a first internal foil is juxtaposed to the compound anode flow field of a first fuel cell, and the second connection surface of the first internal foil is juxtaposed to the second compound flow field of a second fuel cell.
28. The fuel cell stack according to claim 25 wherein the first connection surface of a first internal foil is juxtaposed to the first compound flow field of a first fuel cell and the second connection surface of the first internal foil is juxtaposed to a heat exchange means, and wherein the first connection surface of a second internal foil is juxtaposed to the heat exchange means and the second connection surface of the second internal foil is juxtaposed to the second compound flow field of a second fuel cell.
29. The fuel cell stack according to claim 25 wherein the first connection surface of a first internal foil is juxtaposed to the second compound flow field of a first fuel cell and the second connection surface of the first internal foil is juxtaposed to a heat exchange means, and wherein the first connection surface of a second internal foil is juxtaposed to the heat exchange means and the second connection surface of the second internal foil is juxtaposed to the first compound flow field of a second fuel cell.
30. The fuel cell stack according to claim 25 wherein a first subset of corrugations are substantially located in a first plane, a second subset of corrugations are substantially located in a second plane, the first plane is substantially parallel to the second plane, and neighboring corrugations belong to different subsets.
31. The fuel cell stack according to claim 25 wherein the first end plate and the second end plate are constructed primarily from a plastic material.
32. The fuel cell stack according to claim 25 wherein the first end plate or the second end plate are substantially circular, substantially rectangular, or substantially square.
33. The fuel cell stack according to claim 25 wherein the compression means comprises a threaded fastener.
34. The fuel cell stack according to claim 25 wherein the unitized MEA assembly is a cantilevered unitized MEA assembly.
35. The fuel cell stack according to claim 34 wherein the cantilevered unitized MEA assembly further comprises a sealing clamp.
36. The fuel cell stack according to claim 25 wherein the unitized MEA assembly is a sandwich unitized MEA assembly.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Oct 4, 2002
Date of Patent: Feb 28, 2006
Assignee: The Texas A&M University System (College Station, TX)
Inventors: Michael G. Gaines (Humble, TX), George R. King (The Woodlands, TX), Kenneth J. Schmitt (Spring, TX)
Primary Examiner: Tracy Dove
Attorney: Baker Botts L.L.P.
Application Number: 10/264,578
International Classification: H01M 2/18 (20060101); H01M 8/10 (20060101);
